LONDON’S GLOBAL UNIVERSITY
COUNCIL
Monday 20 October 2014
MINUTES
PRESENT:
Dame DeAnne Julius (Chair)
Professor Michael Arthur
(President and Provost)
Professor David Coen
Dr John Hurst
Mr Lukmaan Kolia
Dr Saladin Meckled-Garcia
Ms Lindsay Nicholson
Dr Gill Samuels
Professor David Attwell
Mr Ven Balakrishnan
Dr Martin Fry
Mr Omar Khan
Ms Nahid Majid
Mr Simon Melliss (Treasurer)
Ms Vivienne Parry
In attendance: Dame Nicola Brewer (Vice-Provost (International)); Professor Stephen Caddick
(Vice-Provost (Enterprise and London)); Mr Andrew Grainger (Director of UCL Estates) [for
Minute 18]; Mr Phil Harding (Director of Finance and Business Affairs); Mr Rex Knight (ViceProvost (Operations)); Mr Nick McGhee (Acting Secretary to Council); Professor David Price
(Vice-Provost (Research)); Professor Anthony Smith (Vice-Provost (Education and Student
Affairs)); Mr Martin Walsh (Commercial Director, Finance and Business Affairs) [for Minute 18].
Apologies for absence were received from Lord Clement-Jones, Ms Carol Lake, Professor Sir
John Tooke, Professor Nick Tyler, Baroness Valentine and Baroness Warwick.
Key to abbreviations used in these Minutes:
BBSRC
ESRC
GPA
HE
HEFCE
IOE
ISD
OFSTED
REF
SLMS
UCLU
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Economic and Social Research Council
grade point average
higher education
Higher Education Funding Council for England
Institute of Education
Information Services Division
Office for Standards in Education
Research Excellence Framework
School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL (Students’) Union
UCL Council – 20 October 2014 – Minutes
Preliminary Formal Business
1
INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS
Reported
1.1
2
In her first meeting as Chair, Dame DeAnne Julius welcomed the new
members of the Council.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Noted
2.1
3
Any member of Council who had (or who knew of a family member
who had) a material, personal, financial or other beneficial interest in
any item on the Agenda was requested to declare that interest at the
beginning of the meeting in order that such declaration could be
recorded in these Minutes. No such interests were declared.
MINUTES
Approved
3.1
4
The Minutes of the Council meeting held on 8 July 2014 [Council
Minutes 117-147, 2013-14] were confirmed by Council and signed by
the Chair.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
[see Minutes 6E, 7, 13 and 18 below]
Matters for discussion
5
CHAIR’S BUSINESS
Received
5.1
An oral report from Dame DeAnne Julius, Chair of UCL Council.
Reported
5.2
Dame DeAnne had held a series of individual meetings with Council
members over the summer. Although members were generally
satisfied that Council operated effectively, a number of possible
measures for improving and streamlining the way in which business
was handled had been discussed. These included:
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UCL Council – 20 October 2014 – Minutes
taking steps to reduce the volume of Council business where
possible, and to focus more closely on the key issues;
making greater use of the Sharepoint to relieve the volume of
papers circulated in hard copy;
reviewing the size and independent membership of UCL’s
formal committees;
reviewing the format and timing of informal Council events, such
as the dinners scheduled to follow each meeting;
reviewing the standard timing of Council meetings.
The Secretary would canvass members’ views on these matters in due
course, and would arrange 1:1 meetings for the new members with the
Chair.
6
PROVOST’S BUSINESS
Received
6.1
An oral report from Professor Michael Arthur, President and Provost.
Reported
6.2
6A
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
6A.1
6B
The Provost was delighted to announce to Council the award of the
2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Professor John
O’Keefe, Director of the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits
and Behaviour. Professor O’Keefe had been at UCL for 47 years, and
had carried out all of the work for which he was now being recognised
at UCL. He had also recently been awarded the 2014 Kavli Prize in
Neuroscience.
Decanal appointments
6B.1
6C
The Provost began by welcoming Dame DeAnne to her first meeting
as Chair of Council.
Professors Geraint Rees and Nick Brook had been appointed Deans of
the Faculties of Life Sciences and Mathematical & Physical Sciences
respectively, with effect from 1 September 2014.
Student numbers 2014-15
6C.1
Provisional data indicated an overall student headcount in 2014-15 of
30,089, against a planned figure of 30,082. The home/EU:overseas
balance remained broadly unchanged at 69:31. Further work was
needed to improve conversion rates. Confirmed student recruitment
data for 2014-15 would be available for the Council meeting of 27
November.
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UCL Council – 20 October 2014 – Minutes
6D
League tables
6D.1
6E
The Provost summarised UCL’s performance in a number of recent
league tables, noting in particular the advent of new methodologies,
including one ranking based on the number of Google searches for
each institution1.
UCL Academy
[Council Minute 112B, 2013-14]
6E.1
6F
Funding of Higher Education
6F.1
7
Following an OFSTED inspection of the UCL Academy earlier in the
year and the subsequent development of an action plan, a monitoring
visit had now taken place. OFSTED had commended the action taken
in response to the recommendations. The Provost congratulated the
Principal, Geraldine Davies, and the Board of Governors chaired by
Professor David Price, for the expeditious measures taken in this
matter.
The Provost updated Council on the national HE funding picture,
noting in particular Labour’s decision not to announce a £6,000 fees
policy in the leader’s recent conference speech, as well as the support
in some quarters for the ‘big institutes’ model. The appointments of
George Freeman as Minister for Life Sciences and Greg Clarke as
Minister for Universities, Science and Cities, were noted.
INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION MERGER
[Council Minute 112C, 2013-14]
Received
7.1
APPENDIX C 1/03 (14-15) – a proposal that UCL merge with the
Institute of Education with effect from 2 December 2014.
7.2
An oral report from Rex Knight, Vice-Provost (Operations).
Reported
7.3
At a meeting on 8 October 2014 the IoE Council had confirmed its
support for the merger. Under the terms of its charter, the IoE Council
was required to confirm the decision by Special Resolution at a second
meeting, scheduled for 25 November. The merger would then formally
take effect on 2 December 2014.
7.4
The due diligence process had identified no substantial issues
requiring report to Council. Although a considerable amount of work
would inevitably be necessary after the formal merger date, there were
compelling reasons to meet the expeditious timescale, principally the
opportunity to publish REF results for the merged institution, and the
1
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/the-20-most-searched-universities-in-the-world-ongoogle/2015972.article.
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UCL Council – 20 October 2014 – Minutes
undesirability of any delay between formal confirmation and
implementation.
Discussion
7.5
Council discussed the implications of the merger for the character of
UCLU, particularly in respect of the high proportion of mature,
postgraduate and part-time students at the IoE. The student unions of
the two institutions were currently in discussions about the preferred
structure following merger.
7.6
It was noted that the Statutes of the two institutions gave different
definitions of academic staff. It was intended that the Regulations
would be amended to ensure that the existing definition would continue
to be recognised in respect of those IoE staff transferring to the
merged institution.
7.7
Some consideration had been given to the creation of a fifth Grand
Challenge, in the area of global education, should the merger proceed.
7.8
Council discussed the opportunities for achieving economies of scale
over time, whilst noting the commitment that there be no compulsory
redundancies as a direct result of the merger. Members also drew
attention to the need for awareness of the different culture and ethos in
the two institutions, as well as the relevance of the merger to the UCL
Academy and to the proposed UCL East development [see Minute 18
below], given the IoE’s working relationship with a number of schools in
the area.
RESOLVED
7.9
That Council approve the entry into the proposed transfer of the
assets, liabilities and undertakings of the Institute of Education to
UCL (the “Transaction”) in accordance with the terms of the
proposed agreement relating to that Transaction (the “Transfer
Agreement”);
that Council approve the entry into the Transfer Agreement
(subject to the Institute of Education passing its resolutions to
transfer the assets, liabilities and undertakings of the Institute of
Education to UCL and to approve the winding up of the Institute
of Education in due course);
that Council authorise the execution of the Transfer Agreement
by way of deed, on behalf of UCL, including such amendments as
those executing the same on behalf of UCL in their reasonable
discretion think fit; and any other document required to be
executed by UCL (whether by deed or otherwise) in connection
with the Transaction;
that Council authorise relevant managers within UCL to do all
such other acts and things as those persons in their reasonable
discretion think fit in connection with the Transaction.
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UCL Council – 20 October 2014 – Minutes
8
VICE PROVOST (RESEARCH) REPORT
Received
8.1
APPENDIX C 1/04 (14-15) – a report by Professor David Price, ViceProvost (Research).
Reported
8.2
Professor Price drew attention to a number of key points in the
document, notably: a 16% increase in the research grant spend in
2013-14 (or 9% net of the transfer of three MRC units); application
success rates of approximately 40%; and record successes in securing
ESRC and BBSRC funding. It was anticipated that UCL’s research
spend in 2013-14 would be second only to that of Oxford. There was
reason to believe that UCL was well placed for a strong performance in
the REF, the results of which would be announced on 18 December.
Significant future challenges included the issue of restricted space, the
uncertain HE funding environment, and the ongoing importance of
maximising cost recovery.
Discussion
9
8.3
There had been a slight downturn in applications rates in recent
months but this was to be expected at the present stage in the REF
cycle. It was anticipated that UCL’s rate of growth in research activity
would plateau in the coming period.
8.4
Mindful of the common tactic of institutions submitting a relatively small
proportion of research active staff to the REF in order to raise their
GPA, Council discussed the various metrics by which success in the
REF could be measured. Council noted also the importance of seeking
to ensure that the methodology was understood by the mainstream
media.
8.5
There was an appetite amongst members of Finance Committee and
Council to improve their understanding of the issues around research
funding. Finance Committee would be discussing the issue at a future
meeting. Whatever metrics were employed, the economics of research
could not be considered in isolation because research activity was a
fundamental driver of student recruitment.
8.6
The Chair thanked Professor Price for an excellent report.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
Received
9.1
APPENDIX C 1/05 (14-15) – a summary of UCL’s financial performance
for the year ended 31 July 2014, subject to audit.
9.2
Oral reports from the Provost and the Director of Finance and Business
Affairs.
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UCL Council – 20 October 2014 – Minutes
Reported
9.3
The Provost summarised the history of UCL’s budgetary strategy in
recent years, noting that prior to the phased reduction of the capital
funding stream it has been customary to budget for a zero surplus.
Only in recent years had the need to generate a surplus in order to
fund reinvestment come to be generally accepted.
9.4
Noting that work was ongoing in making improvements to the format of
the paper, Mr Harding tabled a paper summarising the headline figures
of the update. It was intended that a summary of this sort would be
included in future updates.
9.5
The overall surplus was £34.5m (3.4%), including £20.3m from
exceptional capital items. The operating surplus showed a £4.7m
negative variance against budget. The outcome was an improvement
on the third quarter forecast, principally as a result of a lower than
anticipated level of expenditure on equipment at the end of the year.
9.6
The Schools had exceeded their budget targets overall, although
SLMS had fallen short, principally due to a shortfall in generating the
targeted savings in pay costs. The overspend in Professional Services
was due principally to: additional costs on early retirement / voluntary
severance (which were picked up as a central cost); higher than
anticipated studentship / scholarship expenditure; an overspend on
ISD projects (much of which was delayed from the previous year); and
the HEFCE clawback provision previously noted to Council [Council
Minute 80E.1, 2013-14]. Provision had also been made for a possible
repayment of funds to sponsoring organisations in Australia.
10
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
10A
London Mining Network
Reported
10A.1
Council was in receipt of three letters from the London Mining Network
relating to UCL’s relationship with BHP Billiton.
10A.2
The executive would consider the letters and determine a response.
The funding to which the letters referred was a donation and not a
research contract, and as such was subject to approval by the Gift
Acceptance Committee. The committee had the opportunity to elevate
the discussion to Council where necessary.
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UCL Council – 20 October 2014 – Minutes
Matters for approval or information
11
COUNCIL TERMS OF REFERENCE; CONSTITUTION AND MEMBERSHIP;
STANDING ORDERS
Received
11.1
12
APPENDIX C 1/06 (14-15) (with Annexes 1-4) – Council’s terms of
reference, constitution and membership for the session 2014-15, and a
note by the Secretary on Council Standing Orders and on
responsibilities of Council members.
REGISTER OF INTERESTS 2014-15
Noted
12.1
13
APPENDIX C 1/07 (14-15) – the annual declarations from Council
members in the Register of Interests.
2034 STRATEGY – IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE
Received
13.1
APPENDIX C 1/08 (14-15) – a report on progress with implementation
planning for UCL 2034.
Reported
13.2
14
Council members had been given access to a beta website2 with a
draft of the implementation plan. A senior member of staff had been
assigned to lead each theme. A presentation on fundraising would be
delivered at the Leadership Forum on 22 October.
SELF-REVIEW OF COMMITTEES
Received
14.1
2
APPENDIX C 1/09 (14-15) – details of the outcome of the self-reviews
of the Audit, Finance, and Remunerations & Strategy Committees in
2013-14.
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ucl-2034/draft-implementation
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UCL Council – 20 October 2014 – Minutes
15
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
Noted
15.1
16
APPENDIX C 1/10 (14-15) – a summary of the main outcomes
resulting from Nominations Committee discussions in 2013-14.
USE OF THE UCL SEAL: ANNUAL REPORT
Noted
16.1
17
APPENDIX C 1/11 (14-15) – a report of sealings carried out between
18 September 2013 and 30 September 2014.
CHAIR’S ACTION ON BEHALF OF COUNCIL
Noted
17.1
APPENDIX C 1/12 (14-15) – a summary of the actions taken by the
Chair on behalf of Council since the previous report to Council.
Nick McGhee
Acting Secretary to Council
October 2014
9